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RNLI lifeguards will return to five Causeway Coast beaches to provide cover during this year’s Easter holidays.

Starting on Friday April 14, lifeguards will be operating from Beach Lifeguard Units on Benone Strand, Portstewart Strand, East and West Strands in Portrush and Whiterocks.

The lifeguards will be on duty daily from 11am to 7pm up until Sunday 23 April.

Following the Easter break the lifeguards will resume a weekend duty on the five beaches on the Causeway Coast and also on Tyrella beach in County Down. Daily full time cover will commence on all eight beaches on the Causeway Coast and three in County Down on Saturday 24 June. This will run throughout the summer season finishing on Sunday 3 September. Weekend cover will continue until the end of September.

Ahead of the Easter cover resuming on Good Friday, RNLI lifeguards have spent three weeks in intensive induction training with the lifeguard management team.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Karl O’Neill said: "Pre-season preparations have went well and our lifeguards are ready and looking forward to getting back on the beaches and doing what they do best, providing beach safety advice to visitors and helping out anyone who might find themselves in difficulty either in the water or on the beach itself.

"We would remind anyone planning a trip to the beach to be mindful that particularly at this stage in the season the water is still cold. Come dressed for the weather conditions to ensure your visit is both safe and enjoyable."

The RNLI’s advice for anyone who gets into trouble in the water is to stick a hand in the air and shout for help. If anyone else is in difficulty, tell a lifeguard. If no lifeguards are visible, call 909 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

Last year, lifeguards in Northern Ireland responded to 235 incidents coming to the aid of 255 people.